Pouliot `under siege’ as mines minister

Ontario’s newly appointed mines minister says he is placed on the defence during a recent interview with The Northern Miner. “I am under siege,” jokes Gilles Pouliot, 48 — a feeling that may be inevitable for someone who disallows a buffer of aides to shield him from the public. New in his job, Pouliot is still finding his way. He says his ministry will “build on things that have been done,” as regards Ontario’s 0000,0600 tax system and incentive programs. He notes that the flat rate of the mining tax is 20% — a rate similar to that charged by other provinces.

Will he ask for a larger amount for the Ontario Mineral Incentive Program (OMIP) as the $8 million set aside has been fully subscribed, with 40 additional applications still pending (T.N.M., Nov. 5/90)? Pouliot says he is putting together a financial package for the new budget but he does not have any figures to disclose.

The minister takes a firmer stand on the new Mining Act, the focus of which is on improving the environment, he says. Miners should adopt “judicious methods of operation, better monitoring of compliance and definite plans affecting closure.” But he will “keep listening” to the concerns expressed by the mining community about stiffer environmental control.

Whether proposals from the mining community to a heedful minister will be translated into government policies, however, remains to be seen.

Born in Montreal, Que., Pouliot has spent many years in northern Ontario, as a student at Lakehead University (as well as at Queen’s) and as an elected local official. First elected to the provincial legislature in 1985, he was the New Democratic Party’s critic for mines, native affairs, northern transportation and northern development. Earlier, Pouliot worked as a tradesman flotation plant operator with Noranda Mines’ Geco division and served six years as Reeve of Manitouwadge, where he lives with his wife, Suzanne. Manitouwadge is near the Hemlo gold camp.

Northern Ontario, he says, “is the future of the province. It is resource-based.” Pouliot notes that the move of his ministry’s headquarters to Sudbury “provides employment in the area where mining is most active.” He disagrees with prospector Don McKinnon’s campaign for a “special status” for the region (T.N.M., Aug. 20/90).

Pouliot proceeds to comment on the recent staking rush to the Shebandowan greenstone belt in the Thunder Bay area (T.N.M, Nov. 12/90). He attributed the unimpressive turnout to the recession and the cancellation of the Canadian Exploration Incentive Program (CEIP).

Also in northern Ontario, two uranium mines in Elliot Lake were closed down last year. Pouliot says Ontario Hydro, which has tentative plans to build 10 more nuclear reactors, should be “encouraged” to purchase Ontario uranium to save mine jobs. But policy makers must also consider the impact on consumers’ ability to purchase electricity, he adds.

Will Ontario follow Ottawa’s example to fund a program within the province to investigate the viability of disposing uranium waste from nuclear reactors in closed down mines? If the experiment is successful, reactor waste can be transported back to Elliot Lake for disposal.

Pouliot says such a program would be the Ministry of Energy’s responsibility. Should the subject come up in cabinet meetings, he will discuss it.

Despite the economic downturn, Pouliot is optimistic about Ontario’s mining industry. He thinks money stays where the orebodies are. “The orebodies are here,” he says, referring to the Hemlo gold camp — the sensation of the 1980s. As for the future, he suggests prospectors hunt around areas near defunct and existing mines — in Timmins and Sudbury, for example.

Asked to identify a specific site, Pouliot replies: “If you knew, that would take the fun out of the game.” He predicts the next discovery in the province should be a base metal deposit. “Copper, zinc and lead are needed for industries in the global market.”